ifi Audio uno
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
86/100
Build Quality
84/100
Features Usability
89/100
Value for Money
95/100
The iFi Uno brings smooth, non-fatiguing sound, surprising low-noise IEM performance and lively bass punch to a tiny USB-C desktop DAC/amp. Reviews By WaveTheory heard warmth, sparkle and strong lateral space, while Prime Audio Reviews praised its detail, wide staging and flexible analog EQ modes. RCA output, gain switching and exceptional value make it a standout budget hub for efficient headphones.
Pros
Smooth, lightly warm and non-fatiguing presentation with good dynamic punch and treble sparkle.
Exceptionally quiet with sensitive IEMs, with no audible hiss reported even at maximum volume.
Versatile compact feature set: USB-C power/data, RCA pre-out, gain control and analog EQ presets.
Excellent value at $79, delivering a clear upgrade over typical laptop or tablet headphone outputs.
Cons
Limited output reserves for difficult-to-drive headphones; hard planars and demanding 300-ohm models can sound loose or distorted in deep bass.
Gaming and movie EQ modes can make music vocals and instruments sound unnatural or harsh.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 86/100
Reviewers find the Uno impressively clean, smooth and engaging for an entry-level USB DAC/amp, with useful tonal flexibility from its analog listening modes. Its quiet background and convincing bass punch suit IEMs and easy-to-drive headphones particularly well, while demanding headphones expose its limited output reserves.
Transparency Resolution
85/100
Giz Audio calls its basic clarity and transparency competitive with USB DACs around $100, while Prime Audio Reviews hears good resolution and detail. WaveTheory considers it a clear step up from laptop or tablet outputs, though not an especially high-resolution design, and PortaFi notes that fine low-frequency nuance trails more audiophile-focused equipment.
Tonal Balance Musicality
87/100
WaveTheory hears a smooth, non-fatiguing presentation with a little warmth, body and sparkle, while Prime Audio Reviews finds the flat setting neutral with gently softened treble. The optional music mode adds a well-controlled sub-bass lift, but Giz Audio finds the video and gaming modes can make upper mids sound unnatural or harsh with music.
Dynamics
86/100
Reviewers hear good low-end punch, with WaveTheory noting stronger bass presence and dynamic impact and PortaFi praising fast, powerful bass plus respectable attacks and decays. Giz Audio still gives a competing dongle a slight edge for dynamics, so the Uno is lively rather than unusually authoritative.
Noise Floor
91/100
WaveTheory specifically reports a very low noise floor: even with a sensitive Mangird Tea 1 and the volume fully raised, they heard no hiss. This is strong evidence that the Uno is a quiet partner for IEM listening.
Headphone Compatibility
83/100
The Uno has low and high gain settings, and WaveTheory finds it handles a fairly wide range of headphones reasonably well while providing more than enough power for IEMs. That reviewer also reports it struggles with harder-to-drive loads, consistent with its modest 211mW rating into 32 ohms; it is best suited to sensitive IEMs and efficient headphones.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
84/100
Giz Audio simply describes the Uno as well built, while Prime Audio Reviews finds its lightweight plastic body tough and notes the aluminum front plate. PortaFi likewise says the textured plastic does not look cheap, although the reviews offer little long-term durability evidence.
Features Usability
89/100
Despite its compact form, the Uno combines USB-C data and power, a 3.5mm headphone output, RCA line output and switchable gain. Its three analog EQ modes, flat setting, DSD/MQA support and ability to serve as either a DAC or preamp make it notably flexible, though there are no balanced connections, digital inputs beyond USB, or remote control.
Value for Money
95/100
At $79, reviewers are emphatically positive about the package. Giz Audio calls it affordable, versatile and great sounding, Prime Audio Reviews says it would be hard to find a better small desktop DAC at the price, and PortaFi calls it among the best cheap desktop DAC options it knows.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
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Specifications
- DAC
- Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by ESS
- DIMENSIONS
- 88 x 81 x 26 mm (3.5" x 2.8" x 1.0")
- DNR
- Line Section ≥115dB @ 0dBFS Headphone Section ≥110dB @ 0dBFS
- FORMATS SUPPORTED
- DSD 256 /11.3MHz DXD 384kHz PCM 384kHz MQA
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE
- 10-80kHz(-0.5dB)
- INPUT
- USB-C
- LIMITED WARRANTY
- 12 months*
- NET WEIGHT
- 92 g (0.2 Ibs)
- OUTPUT
- 2V max.
- POWER CONSUMPTION
- No Signal ~0.8W Max Signal ~1.5W
- RMS OUTPUT POWER
- Headphone Section ≥211mW @ 32Ω; 39mW @ 300Ω
- SNR
- Line Section ≥119dBA Headphone Section ≥113dBA
- THD+N
- Line Section ≤0.03% @ 0dBFS Headphone Section ≤0.02% (1.27V @ 16Ω)
Manufacturer's Description — ifi Audio
The pocket-sized desktop dynamo.
Our smallest desktop DAC upgrades any standard desktop computer setup, giving your favourite audio the power and clarity it deserves, along with tailored EQ modes for movies, music and gaming.
The One you need
Not sure what a DAC is but know you want better sound quality for your music, movies, games, podcasts and YouTube guilty pleasures?, Then, the new iFi Uno is for you. Imagine the difference in quality from a standard TV to an 8K Ultra HD TV — but in sound! This is the difference an external DAC makes to your music.
The One you want
Small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, the iFi Uno's curvy case is made from tough,mineral-filled polymer. Connect the iFi Uno via the USB-C input to your Windows PC or Apple Mac. It needs no power source as it receives both power and audio data from the source it is connected to.
Work. Chill. Play.
One simple device. Three unique modes that generate subtle differences to your listening experience.
- Music mode unlocks detailed and engaging sound from all your favourite artists. Listen while you work.
- Movie mode enhances dialogue clarity when you’re streaming films and must-watch TV shows. Never miss a moment.
- Game mode makes low-level sound effects crystal-clear. Always hear your enemies coming and storms brewing.
Uno, dos, hi-res
The iFi Uno supports high-resolution audio formats, including PCM 32bit/384kHz, native DSD256, and MQA.
PCM: The format used in CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays, offering superior quality compared to MP3.
DSD: A high-quality audio format exceeding CD quality. Fully native means the recording remains unaltered. The iFi Uno supports up to DSD256.
MQA: Master Quality Authenticated allows streaming the original master recording. The Uno is MQA-ready—simply connect to Tidal Masters to enjoy studio-quality sound.
DAC’s the ticket
The iFi Uno leverages a decade of expertise and its advanced DAC chip to deliver high-end features
Adjustable analogue gain with Dynamic Range Enhancement (DRE).
Technologies to minimise Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and crosstalk.
A selection of digital filters, adjustable via front-panel buttons for personalised sound tuning.
Whether you use the preset modes or fine-tune further, the iFi Uno ensures clearer audio, reduced interference, and an enhanced entertainment experience.
Awesome analogue
The Uno’s analogue circuitry is just as vital to the supercharged sound quality it provides as its digital tech. The headphone amp feeds a 3.5mm socket at the front, incorporating iFi’s S-Balanced configuration to reduce noise and crosstalk.
Most DACs still use digital volume control – ours is analogue. Why is this special? When you reduce the volume on other DACs you remove data from the song or soundtrack. With analogue volume control, you reduce the volume whilst maintaining the quality.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for ifi Audio uno
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Acoustipower — online and in-store — Markham, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Adorama — in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Advanced MP3 Players — online and in-store — Musselburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Apos Audio — online and in-store — Oakland, California, United States (website)
- ARK Audio — online and in-store — Borensberg, Östergötlands län, Sweden (website)
and 133 more verified dealers